Complaints
78
Crashes
8
Fires
2
Injuries
10
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Nissan Maxima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#16 complaints
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
#26 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
Avg mileage:157,295 mi
#35 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Avg mileage:120,000 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Nissan Maxima.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 6 | — | — | 157,295 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 5 | — | — | 120,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 5 | — | — | 172,300 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device | 1 | — | — | — |
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
157,295
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
120,000
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
172,300
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Webbing
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 Nissan Maxima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Nissan Maxima Years
1989 Nissan Maxima — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1989 Nissan Maxima has 78 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash with 6 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 Nissan Maxima?
Top reported problems: Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash (6 complaints); Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap (6 complaints, avg 157,295 mi); Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly (5 complaints, avg 120,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1989 Nissan Maxima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 150,329 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1989 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 Nissan Maxima include 8 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 Nissan Maxima as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 Nissan Maxima?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Maxima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 Nissan Maxima
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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